Renaissance Fencing Tutorial 2 Stoccata Thrust
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Octave Parry·Edinburgh Renaissance Fencing Academy
The second ERFA online tutorial video - now with better resolution! This time we look at how to practise the stoccata th…
Octave Parry
Genusオクターブ受け(Okutābu Uke)
HybridTranslation: octave parry
Overview
The Octave Parry (8th parry) defends the low outside line by moving the blade downward and to the outside, with the hand in supination (palm up) and the point lower than the hand, deflecting attacks directed at the lower torso on the weapon-arm side. [1] Octave is the mirror of septime, covering the low line on the opposite side, and is used to parry low-line attacks that target the flank or lower ribcage area. [1],[2] The octave parry is less frequently used in modern foil than quarte or sixte but is essential for defending against opponents who attack the low line. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
The octave position was codified as part of the eight classical parry positions developed by French and Italian fencing masters. [1]
Competition Record
Octave parries are commonly used in Olympic épée competition to defend against attacks to the lower body. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From en garde position — Establish distance, extend the blade toward the target with a lunge or advance-lunge, recover to guard
As riposte (counter-attack) — Parry the opponent's attack and immediately riposte with a thrust or cut to the exposed target
From distance (preparation) — Use blade work (beats, feints, engagements) to create an opening before the final attack
Variants
Simple attack — single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score
Compound attack — multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create an opening
Riposte — immediate counter after a successful parry
Counter-attack — attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or right-of-way
Videos
Step lunge flank counter parry riposte
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Octave Parry·Beth Speedy
FIE Coaching Academy 2017
Parry 8, drilling at home with Pool noodles
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Octave Parry·Cyrano's Place
By request from Nancy Vargas from Fencing Academy of Boston, we explain low line use of the parry 8 as well as drill the…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The octave parry is a low-line defensive action in foil fencing that protects the lower target area. According to Cyrano's Place, the octave parry (parry eight) is executed by taking the opponent's blade with a rotational motion of the defender's blade toward the incoming attack, closing it out to deflect the threat. The technique emphasizes minimal hand action with maximum finger movement to avoid telegraphing intentions to the opponent. Cyrano's Place recommends practicing the parry eight across multiple distances—extension, advance-extension, and lunge—with approximately 20 repetitions at each distance to develop consistency. The instructor notes that the octave parry protects against attacks in the low line (as opposed to the high line parry six) and can be combined with ripostes for more complex defensive sequences. Proper positioning and aim of the point before committing footwork ensures precision during actual fencing. The available transcripts from Beth Speedy and Edinburgh Renaissance Fencing Academy do not contain substantive material on the octave parry specifically, focusing instead on other techniques and historical systems.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Cyrano's Place — Parry 8, drilling at home with Pool noodles: Detailed instruction on octave parry mechanics, including blade rotation and closure, emphasis on finger action over hand motion, practice distances (extension, advance-extension, lunge), repetition protocols, and riposte combinations.
- Beth Speedy — Step lunge flank counter parry riposte: Video content indistinct; insufficient material for synthesis.
- Edinburgh Renaissance Fencing Academy — Renaissance Fencing Tutorial 2 Stoccata Thrust: Focuses on Renaissance rapier stoccata mechanics; not applicable to modern foil octave parry technique.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...
FIE Rules of CompetitionPDFHEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Octave parry covers the outside low line — the blade drops and moves to the right to deflect attacks aimed at the lower outside of the torso or the flank (Evangelista, The Art and Science of Fencing, 1996)
✓Octave is the low-line complement to sixte: where sixte covers the outside high, octave covers the outside low
✓Octave execution: from en garde, the hand drops and moves right with the point directed downward and outward — the blade blocks the outside low quadrant
✓Octave is the least used of the four primary parries, but it is essential against attacks to the flank and low outside line
✓After the octave parry, the riposte typically travels upward to the chest — the opponent is often leaning forward after a low attack
✓In epee, octave is more commonly used than in foil because the entire body is a target — the low outside leg is a frequent epee target
✓The four-parry system is complete only with octave: quarte (inside high), sixte (outside high), septime (inside low), octave (outside low) — every attack must pass through one quadrant
Common Mistakes
!Neglecting octave in training — it is the least practised parry and therefore often the weakest
!Dropping the hand too far — octave should cover the low outside without over-extending
!Not riposting from octave — the riposte should travel upward to the exposed chest
!Confusing octave with septime — octave covers the outside low, septime covers the inside low
!Using octave against high attacks — it is specifically for low-line defence
!Making the octave parry too large — the movement should be minimal, just enough to deflect
!Not developing the complete four-parry system — all four parries must be equally trained and available
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En Garde — assume the fencing ready position with proper blade presentation
2Advance/Lunge Preparation — close distance with footwork
3Attack — execute the touch with right-of-way (if applicable) and proper point/edge
4Recovery — return to en garde after the action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Fencing (Luigi Barbasetti, 1932)
1BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
2BookOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Art and Science of Fencing (Evangelista, 1996) [2] FIE technical guidelines
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
5CitationOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Art and Science of Fencing (Evangelista, 1996) [2] FIE technical guidelines
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive lunge speed, finger/wrist dexterity, cardiovascular endurance
Favours
long reach (tall, long arms), fast-twitch legs
Key muscles
quadriceps (lunge), calves, forearm/finger flexors, core
Frequently Asked Questions
How should my body move when executing an Octave Parry?
Your movements should be smooth and springy rather than sharp and jagged, similar to how a resistance band stretches and contracts. Keep your limbs relaxed and unlocked throughout the motion.
Should I use more hand or finger action when moving my blade in Octave Parry?
Cyrano's Place emphasizes that you should minimize hand action and maximize finger action for moving your blade, as more hand motion will telegraph your intentions to your opponent.
How can I practice Octave Parry drills at home?
You can use pool noodles as training tools, positioning them creatively to allow yourself to practice the parry motions. You may need to lift or adjust them to suit your training needs.
What should I focus on before moving my feet during an Octave Parry?
Ensure the cleanliness of your technique by aiming your point exactly where it needs to go before you start your footwork, which trains precision for actual fencing situations.
How does the Octave Parry work?
The Octave Parry (8th parry) defends the low outside line by moving the blade downward and to the outside, with the hand in supination (palm up) and the point lower than the hand, deflecting attacks directed at the lower torso on the weapon-arm side. Octave is the mirror of septime, covering the low line on the opposite side, and is used to parry low-line attacks that target the flank or lower ribcage area.
Where does the Octave Parry come from?
The octave parry was codified as the eighth and final position in the classical parry system, completing the coverage of all four defensive quadrants. While less commonly used than the high-line parries, octave remains a required skill in competitive foil fencing.
Is the Octave Parry legal in competition?
FIE: legal — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for foil, épée, and sabre; HEMA: legal — Legal in historical fencing competition
How dangerous is the Octave Parry?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
How do I set up the Octave Parry?
The standard setup chain: En Garde → Advance/Lunge Preparation → Attack → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Octave Parry?
Standard counters include: Guard Position — return to a defensive ready stance / Distance Management — control the measure to avoid being in range / Counter-Attack — strike during the opponent's recovery or between movements.
What are the variants of the Octave Parry?
Common variants: Simple attack (single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score); Compound attack (multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create a…); Riposte (immediate counter after a successful parry); Counter-attack (attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or rig…).
How effective is the Octave Parry in competition?
Octave parries are commonly used in Olympic épée competition to defend against attacks to the lower body.
What are common mistakes when doing the Octave Parry?
Top errors to watch for: Neglecting octave in training — it is the least practised parry and therefore often the weakest / Dropping the hand too far — octave should cover the low outside without over-extending / Not riposting from octave — the riposte should travel upward to the exposed chest / Confusing octave with septime — octave covers the outside low, septime covers the inside low.
What are other names for the Octave Parry?
The Octave Parry is also known as Okutābu Uke, Parade d'Octave, Eighth Parry, Ottava.